Stay out of the water at one Toronto public beach

Here's the latest beach water quality report from Toronto Public Health as of July 25 at 7 a.m.

Thestar.com
July 25, 2023

Heading to the beach? You’ll want to stay out of the water at Centre Island as of July 25 at 7 a.m. Here's the latest beach water quality report from Toronto Public Health:

Bluffer's Beach (1 Brimley Road South) tested safe for swimming on July 23

Centre Island Beach (Toronto Islands) tested unsafe for swimming on July 23

Gibraltar Point Beach (Toronto Islands) tested safe for swimming on July 23

Hanlan's Point Beach (Toronto Islands) tested safe for swimming on July 23

Kew-Balmy Beach (1 Beech Avenue) tested safe for swimming on July 23

Marie Curtis Park Beach (2 42nd Street) tested safe for swimming on July 23

Sunnyside Beach (1755 Lake Shore Boulevard West) tested safe for swimming on July 23

Ward's Island Beach (Toronto Islands) tested safe for swimming on July 23

Woodbine Beach (1675 Lake Shore Boulevard East) tested safe for swimming on July 23

Up for a day trip? Find the latest reports for beaches outside Toronto

According to public health guidelines from the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, water is considered unsafe for swimming when one sample contains 400 or more E. coli bacteria per 100 millilitres, or the geometric mean of five samples is 200 or more.

Collecting, transporting and testing beach water for E. coli can take a day or more, so the latest available data may not reflect current conditions at the beach. Swimming is not recommended when it's raining, the water is wavy or cloudy, there are lots of birds, or for two days after a big storm.

Consuming E. coli can cause serious illness, including stomach cramps, diarrhea and vomiting. When high levels of the bacteria are detected it's more likely that other harmful organisms are present as well, including those that cause skin rashes and eye, ear, nose and throat infections.

A beach may also be considered unsafe for swimming due to weather conditions, runoff, pollution, spills, smells, garbage, sharp debris and dead fish. In addition, public beaches are monitored for blue-green algae, which can be highly toxic to humans, dogs and other animals.